Composite color scale



Apu-H9, 1940. H AQYQLSON 2,196,271

couPOsITE coLoR* SCALE April 9 1940- H. c. oLsoN l 2,196,271

' l -couPosITE coLoR SCALE Filed Feb. 25. 193s l s sheets-sheet s vPatented Apr. 9,119.40 i

sacara"Y l coma soar-.li v Hilmcr 0. Olson, Chicago,v nl. l Appumion February ses, 193s, sei-m N. 'in m 1 cnam. (oma-14') The invention relates to color meters or the like, and more particularly to devices comprising a plurality of comparative color scales.

The invention has among its objects the construction of a device which is simple in operation, of durable construction, and very eilicient for the purposes set forth.

Another object of the invention is the production of a device comprising a. plurality of color scales of known color value, and which may be selectively combined to produce any desired shade or tint. Another object of the invention is the production of a device wherein any given combinau tion of colors may be readily broken down into individual components and the particular' color value of each individual component ascertained.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a device wherein the relative black and white color value,las well as the individual color value, is given and may be readily ascertained for any given color.

A further object of the invention is the production of a device of the kind described wherein the various colors may be selectively combined to produce any of the desired combinations.

This composite color scale of known values is extremely valuable in its many uses to the artist, engraver, printer, natural color photographer,

dyer, paper manufacturer, and many others.

It is very useful to the artist in making color separation drawings, and likewise to the engraver as a guide for photographic separation negatives, etchings, correcting, finishing, and proofing color process plates, etc.

It will save time and material throughout the process of making color plates and is an aid in the making of better color plates. Likewise, it will save time for the printer in preparation, and

will aid the production man in analyzing and ordering corrections on color proofs. Similarly, the color photographer will nd the device extremely valuable in' the field of natural color photography. The dyer and paper maker will also find use for the device in mixing colors for Vdyeing materials, etc., or in the production of colored paper.

It will be seen from the above that the composite color scale of known values can be used in all cases where transparent colors or dyes are used to form a given color and to analyze the composition of the latter.

Many yother objects and advantages of the 55 construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those ed'in'the art from the clisclosurejherein given.y .l

To this end my invention consistsinthe novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more par-l 5 ticularlyI pointed lout in the claim.v

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: Fig. 1 represents a `plan elevational view of the device;V Fig. 2 is a' sectional view taken on the line 2-42 u of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l1; Fig. 4 is a sectional viewtaken on the line l-l u of F18. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the selective positioning means is attached to a scale;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the scales; 20 Fig. 7 1s a fragmentary plan view of a scale showing the manner of graduating the color values; v

u Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the composite scale showing the individual colors composing 25 the same; and Fig. 9 is a partial sectional view of the device showing a slightly different construction for selectively positioning the individual scales.

Referring to Figs. v1, 2, and 3, the device com- 30 i prises a container designated generally by the numeral I, consisting of a cover member 2, sidewalls 3, and end walls 4. The cover 2 is provided with a cut out portion 5 through which the color scales are to be viewed. This opening is illum- 35 nated by means of the lamp 6 and reflectors 1 and 8. A piece of crystal glass 9 extends across the opening 5 and supportsthe scales II, I2, I3, and Il. These scales are of Celluloid or any other flexible transparent material, preferably 40 one that is substantially colorless. These scales, of which there are four in number in the present device, each consist of an endless band of material and extend around the light reflecting chamber I5, said bands being guided at either end of the container by the curved plates I6, I1, I8, and I9 which extend transversely from one side wall 3 to the other, and may be held in place by soldering or any other suitable means. Attached to the band yIl is a threaded stud 2l 50 formed of suitable material and attached to a plate 22 which is soldered orl attachedl by any other suitable means to a very thin metal strip 23 of shim metal or the like, Vwhich is then bent back upon itself to clamp the transparent band I4 which may be glued thereto, if desired, as a further securing means. Each transparent band is provided with a similar stud and associated parts. Slots 24,. 25, 26, and 21 are provided to receive the plates 22 of each band, and it will be noted from Figs. 3 and 4 that the width of each band and the location of the scales thereon (to position the latter) are dependent on the location of the respective slots. In other words the bands I3 and |4 will extend laterally beyond the opening 5 to the respective slots on one side thereof, and the bands and I2 to their respective slots on the opposite side of the opening 5. The slots in the cover member 2 are of a size to receive the plate 22. Reinforcing the cover member adjacent the slots are the plates 28 and 29 provided with the slots 3|, 32, 33, and 34, respectively, of a size to receive the stud 2|', the portion 35 of the stud 2| engaging the respective slots to provide a guide for the bands. 'I'he plates 28 and 29 are provided with indents 36 adapted to receive the members 31 which are carried by the stud 2 I. To maintain the members 31 in engagement with the indents 36, the spring 38 and cap 29 are provided, the latter maintaining the spring under compression which will then tend to force the member 3,1 into the indents 36, the member 31 and cap 39 providing a convenient knob for positioning the scales. The number of indents adjacent any slot will depend on the number of graduations on the respective color scales located on the transparent bands, there being one indent for each graduation. Thus, by sliding the studs 2| along the slots, any desired portion of the various scales may be positioned in the opening 5.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated a slightly modified construction of the device employing similar bands which travel over the toothed rollers 4|, 42, 43, and 44, there being two for each band located at opposite ends of the container. In this construction, the bands are perforated adjacent their edges, the perforations engaging the teeth on the particular roller. Projecting from the con` tainer, are knobs 45, 46, and 41, one for each color, the knob for roller 4| being omitted in the drawings. Thus, by turning the knobs, any portion of the bands may be displayed in the opening 5. The remainder of the device, particularly the color scales, are exactly the same in either construction.

As shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8, each of these scales, only one of which is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 for illustrative purposes, comprise a different color, the device shown and described having color scales of black, red, blue, and yellow. Obviously, more or fewer scales may be used if desired, depending on the colors necessary. Fig. '1 illustrates the various graduations of color on any one of the scales, the scales shown being graduated in thirteen diierent color values ranging from zero to solid color, each graduation 48 being of a known color value. As shown in Fig. 6, these scales are provided with a column 49 indicating the values of the respective graduations of that particular color and on the opposite side, a simllar column 5| giving the black and white color values for that particular scale. Fig. 8 shows the manner in which the colors are superimposed one upon the other, representing the yellow scale, I2 the red scale, I3 the blue scale, and I4 the black scale, showing the manner in which the respective columns 49 and 5| of each band are staggered so that none of them will be superimposed upon the other whereby all columns will be visib1e at the sme time although their respective scales may be over or underlying the others as the case may be.

Referring to the scales 49 and 5I, it will be noted that the scales read from zero or no color through white 1/2-1, 11/2-2, 21/2--3, 31/2-4, 41/2, black and solid black, each of these numbers or letters representing known color values.

These various colors and shades of colors may be formed on the transparent bands by any suitable method or means; for example, printing, lithographing, the so-called colored carbon tissue printing method, or the so-called wash-oi! photographic process.

It will 'ne seen from the above that any method which provides even coloring of the various graduations without blotching or spotting would be satisfactory.

In conclusion, it will be seen from the above description that I have produced a composite color scale or meter in which both the color and the black and white value of each individual shade or tint is given, and in which any combination or combinations of tints or colors may be produced, the color, as well as the black and white values making up the combination being read directly from the scale.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What' I claim as new Letters Patent is:

In a color scale, a light chamber, one side of which is transparent, a plurality of endless bands having suitable color scales thereon encircling said light chamber and overlying the transparent side thereof, a substantially uniform source of light in said chamber and a reflector positioned therein to diiuse light rays from said source through the transparent side of the chamber and said scales, a container enclosing said scales and supporting said chamber, said container having a portion thereof, opposite the transparent side 0f said chamber, through which said scales are visible from the exterior thereof, and means accessible from the exterior of said container for selectively positioning said scales over the transparent side of the light chamber.

HILMER C. OLSON.

and desire to secure by 

